Apparatus for administering liquids



Aug. 13, 1963 1 N. BATHlsH APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING LIQUIDS Filed oct. 17, 1960 F/G.

Unit@ lfA- Patented Aug. 13, 1963 ire 3,100,487 APPARATUS FOR ADli/IlNlSTERING LIQUHDS Louis N. Bail-sieh, Glendale, Calii., assigner to Pharmaseal Laboratories, Glendale, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 62,989 Claims. (Cl. 12S-227) This invention relates to an improved apparatus for administering liquids, and particularly to an inexpensive, disposable apparatus which occupies a minimum of shipping and storage space.

There are many hospital procedures which require the administration of a solution, such as an enema solution, to a patient. This is usually accomplished by attaching `a liexible administration tube to the nipple of a porcelain or stainless steel irrigating container, clamping oil the tube, preparing the desired solution in the irrigating container, and administering the solution to the patient. The container and its tube must then be ythoroughly cleansed and sterilized before the container can be used on `another patient. Such cleansing is obviously an unpleasant and time consuming task. Moreover, it is a task which is frequently done during the busiest hours for hospital personnel. Under such conditions, the cleansing operation may not be completely satisfactory, and diseases, such as Staphlococcus infections, may be transmitted from one patient to another.

Moreover, the administration tube is difficult to detach, so that it is usually left attached to the container during the cleaning and sterilizing procedures. Under lthese conditions, the .tubes tend to stretch `or split and may become detached from the container during an administration, spilling soapy water on the patient and the operator.

The irrigati-ng containers usually used for administering liquids Ito patients are cylindrical in shape and have a laterally extending nipple to which an administration tube is connected. Thus, these containers cannot be nested one inside another, so that considerable space is required to store or ship the containers.

Collapsible irrigating containers made of thin plastic have been proposed. However, such containers are not self-supporting and a stand or hanger must be available both during mixing of the Isolution and `during the administration procedure. Moreover, these containers have a flimsy, unsubstantial feel which causes concern among hospital personnel that the container will break or slip out of their hands.

It is therefore an obiect .of this invention to provide an inexpensive, disposable apparatus for administering liquids.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for administering liquids which is self-supporting, but which will occupy -a minimum of storage and shipping space.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for administering liquids in which the administration tube and other components consume a minimum of space, but are adequately protected against damage.

A further. object of theinvention is to provide an apparatus for administering liquids having a simple, dependable means for attaching the administration tube to the container.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for administering fluids having improved hanging means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an enlarged, elevational view of the invention, with parts cut away to show the internal structure;

`FlGUlE 2 is an exploded, elevational View of the invention;

:FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the invention assembled and ready for use;

FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view on the lines 4--4 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a further enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3, with portions of the administration tube shown in elevation.

As shown in the drawings, containers 10 and 10a have bottoms 11 and 11a and generally cylindrical side walls 12 and 12a. Side wall 12 tapers inwardly toward bottom 11 at an angle of approximately 2 to 5 degrees with the container axis, to facilitate nesting of the containers. Graduations 13a are preferably provided on the inner surface of the container but may also be plad on the outer surface of the container, if desired. 'The top of the container is open and is provided with an outwardly extending, annular rim 14 from which extends a downwardly depending llange 15. An annular rim 16 projects below bottom 11 to provide a level surface for supporting the container.

Container 10 is preferably made of high density or linear polyethylene, polypropylene, or other, resistant, unbreakable, self-supporting plastic material. The thickness of the material depends on the plastic used, but in the case of polyethylene or polypropylene is preferably about 0.03 to 0.04 inch thick. `In any case the side wall 11 should be stili enough to be self-supporting when the container 10 is Ifull of liquid, and should preferably be translucent or transparent so that the amount of liquid and its ilow rate can be observed.

.Container 10 is enclosed in a bag 20, made of thin polyethylene or other iilm type packaging material. Holes 21 are provided in bag 20 to allow air to escape from within the bag when container 10a is nested into container 1i). The bottom edge 23 of bag 20 is sealed shut, While the top section 2.2 is turned down along the inner surface of container wall 12.

As mentioned above, the side Wall 12 tapers inwardly toward bottom 11 at an' angle of about 2 to 5 degrees. The relative 4dimensions of the container are selected so that the Walls 12a of container 10a seat against the walls 12 of container 10 while bottom 11a is still about one-half inch to `two and one-half inches above container bottom 11. This provides a compartment 25 in which is located a coiled administration tube 26. A clamp 27, a lubricant packet 28, a hanging bail 29 and a card 30 are also located in compartment 25. Card 30 is preferably circular in shape and serves to protect the contents of compartment 25 after container 10a has been remove-d. -Card 3l) may be imprinted with directions for use and preferably has a tab 31 to facilitate its removal from container 1li.

- Administration tube 26 is preferably made of a length of inexpensive, extruded plastic tubing, such as a polyvinyl chloride formulation. One end of tube 26 is provided with a rectal tip 35 having an axial opening and smooth, rounded walls. Rectal tip 35 may be an integral part of tube 26, or it may be `detachable so that the containerlmay be reused for an individual patient by merely replacing tip 35. A short distance inwardly from the end, the tip wall is cut away to provide a lateral opening 36. Markings 37 may also be provided at predetermined distances along tip 35 to assist the user in insert` ing the tip to the desired position.

The other end ofadministration tube 26 is provided with a connector 38, made of a resilient, deformable plastic material, suchas a plastisol of polyvinyl chloride, which can be easily cemented to tube 26. Connector 33 has a tapered axial bore into which the end of tube 26 is telescoped. A flange 43 extends into the axial bore at one end of connector 38 and acts as a stop against encens? away between body 39 and flange t0 to provide an annul lar groove 4i.

Near the bottom of container it), an' offset portion 45 of side wall l2 extends inwardly to a position immediately above the outer edge of bottom 11, thus providing a flat area te between onset portion 45 and bottom il. Flat area 46 may be substantially vertical or it may taper slightly inwardly toward bottom 11 to facilitate inolding. The offset portion 45 also serves as a stop to prevent the raw, molded containers from nesting together too tightly.

A 4circular opening 47 is centrally located in the fiat area te and isadapted to receive administration tube connector 3S; Preferably, the diameter of the wall definining openingit7 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the Wall forming the bottom of connector groove di.. Also, the thickness of the wall forming flat area 46 is preferably greater than the distance between the ywalls defining the sides of groove rtl, thus assuring a tight leak-proof fit. For example, I have found that a plastisol connector having a groove 0.0116 inch wide and a bottom diameter of 0.48 inch makes a tight, leak-proof fit with a container lhaving an opening 0.46 inch in diameter and surrounded by a wall 0.040 inch thick.

Alternatively, connector 38 may be made of `a relatively rigid material, such as rigid 'polyvinyl chloride, or nylon.

Y In this case, container 10i would be molded of a relatively tlexible'mater-ial, such as low' or medium density polyethylene, to allow the wall portion around opening 47 to f snap into groove 41. For some uses, the more flexible container would be a disadvantage. On the other hand, the rigid connector could tbe steam sterilized and the rigidity would make it easier to insert in opening 57.

Bail 29 h as a centrally located arch or apex Si). The

' respective ends Vof bail 29 lare bent at substantially right angles to the plane of bail 29 to form prongs 51, 52, one

extending in each direction. As shown in FIGURE 4, container rim 14 has two vertical holes 53, 54 passing therethrough. One end of bail 29 passes through hole 53, so that prong 51 rests against the bottom surface of rim 14, and points toward the rear of container 10i. In like manner, the other end of bail 29 extends through hole 54 on the other side of the container, and prong 52 rests [against the bottom surface of rim 11i, pointing toward the front of container 1dr. The b'ail 29 is thus held in an upright position by prongs 51, 52 pushing against the ibottom surface of rim 14.

In' use, container 10` is removed from container 10a Card 30 is then removed from container 10i by its tab 3i, and the components of `compartment 25 taken out. The upper por-tion 22 of plastic bag 20 is then pulled out and the container lil removed lfrom the bag. Connector body 39 is thenv urged into the circular container opening 47,

twisting as necessary, until the annular Wall section surrounding the opening engages the groove 471. Clamp 27 is then placed on administration tube 26, bent longitudinally around it, then bent transversely topinch off tube 26. y'Container 10 is then set on )a at surface and the ingredients of the desired soltuion are mixed in the container.

Bail 29 is then attached tol container 10 by placing it in Ia position roughly parallel to rim 14 and urging prong 51 through hole 53. Bail 29 is then moved to the upright position-and yurged as far as possible toward the opposite side of rim 14. In this position, prong 52 is forced throng-l1 hole 54. 'Ilhe filled container 1t) is then suspended yabove the patient y'by either placing it on a flat:

surface, or by hangingiit from bail 29, or it may be held in an elevated position. Lubricant packet 23 is then opened and the tip of the `administration tube lubrica-ted and inserted. Clamp 27 is then opened to administer the solution. If additional liquid is desired, clamp 27 can again be shut off .and a new batch of solution mixed directly in container 10. When the administration is complete, the entire unit is discarded, and may, if desired, be destroyed by incineration.

In the foregoing `description I have described a preferred embodiment in considerable detail for the purpose of illustration. However, it is understood that the structuraldetails may be varied by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. An apparatus for administering liquids comprising:

a molded plastic container having an open end, a olosed end and a generally cylindrical, tapered lside Wall; a flat bottom on said closed end, said bottom 4being adapted to support the container in an upright position on a flat surface; an offset portion of the side wall extending inwardly to a position above the outer edge of the closed end, thus providing 'a small, substantially vertical, fla-t side wall portion; an lopening passing through and defined by said side wall portion; a connector passing through said opening and having an axial bore parallel to the container bottom, a body and a flange, said body being located on the inside of the container, said flange being located outside of the container and having a larger diameter than said body; and annular, inwardly extending, connector groove between the body and the auge; an annular portion of the flat container wall portion around the opening extending into the connector groove Y and an administration tube attached toV and extending from the connector in a directionparallel to the container bott-om.

. 2. An apparatus for administering liquids comprising:

a molded, plastic container having a generally cylindriwalls, ran open end, and a closed fend, said closed endY lying along the bottom of the molded container and the portion of the bag adjacent the closedend enclosing the molded container; a middle portion of the bag turned down across the top end of the container side wall; and a portion of the bag adjacent the open end thereof lying along the inner surface of the container side wall; and at least one perforation in the wall of the bag between the closed end and the middle portion.

3. vAn 'apparatus for administering liquids comprising: a molded plastic container hcving an open end and a closed'end; an outwardly extending rim around said open end; a flat bottom surface on said rim; two holes in opposite sides of said rim, the Walls defining said holes being parallel to the container axis; a wire bail, one end of which extends through each of said lholes; a prong on each end of the bail, the rst of said prongs extending approximately perpendicularly to the plane defined by the wire bail, and the other of said prongs extending approximately perpeudicularly to the plane defined Vby the Wire bail, but in the direction opposite to 'the first prong; and the top surface of said prongs pressing against the bottom surface of the rim, whereby the bail is held in a generally upright position extending axially from j the open end of the container.

4. An apparatus for administering liquids comprising: a'rnolded plastic container having a rigid side wall, an open end and a closed end; an opening passing through and defi-ned by said side Wall; a flexible, deformable connector passing through said opening and having a flexible body and a ange, said body being located on the inside of the container, said ange being located outside of the container and having a larger diameter than said body; an annular, inwardly extending, `Connector groove between the body and the flange; 1an annular portion of the rigid container wall around the opening extending into the connector groove; -a longitudinal passage through the `connector body land iange; a exible administration tube, an end portion of which telescopes into at least a portion of the passage through the connector body and is yattached to said body, `and la portion of the administration tube adjacent said end portion telescoped through the connector flange, but being free of attachment to said flange, whereby pulling on Ithe administration tube eX- pands the ilexible connector body against the inner surface of the rigid container wall.

5. An apparatus for administering liquids comprising: a molded, plastic container Ihaving -a generally cylindrical, tapered side wall; an open top end and a closed bottom end on said container, said top end being of larger diameter than said bottom end; an outwardly extending rim around said open end; :means for attaching a suse pension bail to said rim; an olfset portion of the side wall extending inwardly to a position spaced from and directly above la portion of the outer edge of the closed bottom end; a small, flat, substantially ventical side wall portion connecting the oiset portion tothe closed end of the container; an opening passing through kand dened by said vertical side wall portion; la bag having a side Wall of thin lilm, an open end, Iand a closed end, said closed yend lying along the bottom ofwthe molded container yand the portion of the -bag adjacent the closed end enclosing the molded container; Ia middle portion of the bag turned down across `the top end of the container side wall; and a portion of the bag adjacent the open end thereof lying yalong the inner surface of the container side wall; and lat least one perforation in the wall of the bag between the closed end and the middle portion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 918,234 Welsh Apr. 13, 1909 1,154,627 Hall Sept. 28, 1915 1,202,411 Nylander Oct. 24, 1916 1,611,259 Wogenstal Dec. 21, 1926 1,620,941 Brainard Mar. 15, 1927 2,527,931 Iskoe Oct. 31, 1950 2,577,001 Cole Dec. 4, 1951 2,650,592 Borda Sept. 1, 1953 2,695,732 Tupper Nov. 30, 1954 

4. AN APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING LIQUIDS COMPROSING: A MOLDED PLASTIC ONTAINER HAVING A RIGID SIDE WALL, AN OPEN END AND A CLOSED END; AN OPENING PASSING THROUGH AND DEFINED BY SAID SIDE WALL; A FLEXIBLE, DEFORMABLE CONNECTOR PASSING THROUGH SAID OPENING AND HAVING A FLEXIBLE BODY AND A FLANGE, SAID BODY BEING LOCATED ON THE INSIDE OF THE CONTINER AND HAVING A LARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID OF THE CONTAINER AND HAVING A LARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID BODY; AN ANNULAR, INWARDLY EXTENDING, CONNECTOR GROOVE BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE FLANGE; AN ANNULAR PORTION OF THE RIGID CONTAINER WALL AROUND THE OPENIN EXTENDING INTO THE CONNECTOR GROOVE; A LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE THROUGH THE CONNECTOR BODY AND FLANGE; A FLEXIBLE ADMINISTRATION 